How Can We Provide Safety for BISD Student Bus Riders? Part III~ Lenz Analyzes Inspector's Report

From the editor: If a commercial or private bus company experienced three bus fires in a six month period, they would likely be shut down by the Department of Transportation.  Insurance companies would simply look at the numbers and decline being a provider.  

BISD experienced two dramatic bus fires within one week in October 2013.  When Dynamic Technical Consultants, Inc. was summoned by Superintendent Montoya to investigate the two October 2013 fires, DTC was also given access to another burned bus from an April 2013 fire.  

Daniel Lenz

In Part II of this series, we began sharing our interview with world class bus expert, Daniel Lenz of Brownsville.  We continue that interview here:

Mean Mister Brownsville: You indicated that a Lenz inspection would start with maintenance records, manufacturer recalls, repair orders, etc.  Are you ready to take a look at the burned buses yet?

Daniel Lenz:  Not yet.  I would still need more information from the files, plus some interviews.  Pre-Trip and Post-Trip inspections need to be reviewed for the three buses that caught fire.  Drivers are required by federal law to make a Pre-Trip inspection before transporting passengers.(At this point Lenz brings out a sample Pre-Trip Inspection Report and goes through the various checks point by point)

MMB:  The driver does this?

Lenz:  Yes.  To get a CDL or Commercial Driver's License, applicants have to be able to perform a Pre-Trip inspection.  Basic checks of the engine compartment, an external inspection of lights including signals, stop, headlights, back up lights, etc.  Mirrors are checked, lug nuts, reflectors, fuel tank cap, ABS indicator, hoses.  Also, the air brakes are checked.  The emergency exits, the horn, the emergency exits and any wheel chair devices or lifts.  

All of this goes into a report.  That report is critical if there is an accident, fire or other incident.  It's not hard to see why a Pre-Trip and Post-Trip inspection must be made, then recorded in the files.  

Then, of course, there are the Periodic Vehicle Inspection Reports, which are much more comprehensive and performed by professional mechanics.  These are made as required at various mileage intervals, measure tire wear, thoroughly checking braking systems, exhaust, the fuel system, suspension, all fire extinguishers, windshields, wipers, wheels and rims and much, much more.

MMB:  You mentioned something about interviews?

Lenz:  You absolutely HAVE to interview any drivers who drove the three buses that caught fire.  Were they having any mechanical difficulty, anything out of the ordinary before the fire?  Any and all of their observations would be critical, especially seeing smoke, any sounds or smells.  Both BISD drivers, with buses carrying 30 and 29 passengers respectively, stopped their buses for a reason.  All of that information should be in a report.

Also, general questions about maintenance need to be asked.  How does the shop respond to their complaints? How quickly?  

And, of course, the mechanics would need to be interviewed to get their general observations about maintenance practices within the department, also about their personal training as mechanics and resume's.  

Please note that none of the information from the maintenance files, repair orders, factory recalls, pre-trip or post-trip reports, driver or mechanic interviews were included in Dynamic Technical Consultants, Inc.'s investigation or final report.

In Part IV of this series, Lenz examines some the 15 black & white pictures of the burned buses included in the report.(He's not too fond of B&W pics for this purpose.)

Part V will publish DTC's four page written report for your examination.

Part VI will take a look at how BISD selects administrators to run its Transportation Department and what that reveals about how they prioritize student safety.